Former President John Mahama has said he is in support of calls for the removal of constitutional age restrictions for a Ghanaian to become president.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Africa Summit in London on Wednesday, Mr. Mahama said the restrictions for the presidency could be reduced to that of a parliamentary aspirant.
Mr. Mahama’s comments on the matter have received backing from a former Chief of Staff who served in the Kufuor administration, Kwadwo Mpiani.
In my country, young people are in Parliament and contesting other positions but not the presidency. Our constitution says you must be 40 to contest to be president. Some advocacy has started for age restriction to be removed or reduced and I support it.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Mpiani said the said the country may be missing out on some competent persons by limiting the pool of potential leaders.
“Let’s find out why they decided on 40. Are the reasons valid? If in other places, people below 40 are able to offer themselves to be elected as Prime Ministers, Presidents and they do well, why can’t we do this in Ghana? Are we depriving ourselves? Maybe there are exceptional youth in the country who can become Presidents and maybe perform well. I really don’t fancy the idea of putting in this limit.”
Questions remain as to how low the limit could be, but Mr. Mpiani said the electorate ought to have the ultimate say as to who should become President.
“Is it anybody who is capable of voting? Is it 18 years? Are we saying that if you are a voter, you can offer yourself to become a President? Well, maybe you can say that, then it will be left to Ghanaians to decide whether such a person is qualified to be a President or not… Why don’t we leave this to the electorate or we think the electorate is not fit enough to determine who is capable of being a President? I think we should leave it to the electorate,” he said.
Source: Citifmonline.com
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After these 19 year old presidents complete their two terms say at age 28 or 29 and retire, can Ghana afford to spend and continue to take care of such parading ex -presidents and their families?
I support the constitution for putting the age limit at 40. By then one would gained some kind of experience in life. we haven't forgotten about the babies with sharp teeth. Remember how ***barred word*** they were in their outburst but as they aged, they are now gaining some respectable experience in their political activities which has been wonderful.
MAHAMA HIMSELF WAS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST PRESIDENTS IN GHANA. HIS FAILURE AND INCOMPETENCE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT MATURITY THROUGH EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD LEADERSHIP. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN, EVEN NANA ADDO COULD NOT HAVE BECOME AN ICON HE IS TODAY IN THE WORLD POLITICS IF HE HAD BECOME ONE IN 2012.
point of correction Mr. our elections (especially the presidential) has never been determined by the voter and u know it. stop deceiving the ple. there is a powerful group of evil ple doing that and u all (ndc and npp) are part of it. u ple gave us npp and ndc so as to divide us the citizens along party lines but it means nothing to you ple. if not why will you want to contest again? there is something you ple know that we dont know. but some of us can at least smell the truth and soon we will find out. I will not be surprised if nana addo is just given this term to be president after a long struggle and aging, and also completing his sacrifice. u want to come back again bcos u have not finish enjoying the benefits of ur sacrifice. dont worry the day will come even if not in this generation when all ur deeds will be exposed.